The Citizen, 2010-10-21, Page 28By Pastor Brent KipferBrussels Mennonite FellowshipOur church music team loves to
learn new songs. Occasionally we
use full music notation, but more
often, we work from a simple lyric
sheet with chords. If I am the one
introducing new material, I am
typically singing it through for the
group, accompanying myself on
guitar. We pick up many new songs
quite easily. Sometimes, though, the
music just does not seem to come
together.
We have made an important
discovery in these moments. Our
bass player or another guitarist,
might say, “There’s something odd
about this timing” or “How do you
fit those chord changes into this
section?” or “It’s got a weird rhythm
here.”We no longer scrounge around
for answers. The problem is
probably this: I am rushing
through a key section of the music.
My irregular timing works okay
when I am playing solo – but it
sabotages the music-making of the
team.
The kingdom of God is much like
a great piece of music. Jesus invites
us to begin playing! Join the music
team (orchestra, rock band or choir –
take your pick) and start echoing the
harmonies of his love, justice, grace
and peace. Sometimes the music
seems to flow out of us naturally.
Other times we race ahead, lag
behind or go off-key. We might feel
like we are making great music on
our own, but then when we try to
play with others, our notes seem to
clash. What do we do in those
moments?
One option is to dig in my heelsand say, “I know the music. Just doit my way.” Another option is to
assume that I have nothing to
contribute, drop out of the song and
leave the music-making to others. A
better way is to pause, listen to the
great composer, double-check the
master song sheet (the Bible) and
keep practising with those around
us.
I do not especially enjoy admitting
when I am wrong or trying to
unlearn a bad habit – and yet this is
an essential part of learning the
music of God. It requires that we
never pretend to be experts with the
things of God, but take the posture
of a child who is just learning to
play. Jesus once said: “...unless you
change and become like little
children, you will never enter the
kingdom of Heaven. Therefore,
whoever takes a humble place –
becoming like this child – is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 18:3-4)
This involves a miracle: the Spirit
of God giving us new birth. In John
3:3, Jesus described this as being
“born again” or being “born from
above.”
A Bible translator named Des
Oatridge once asked a Papua NewGuinean how to communicate this inhis native language. The local man
explained a custom in his culture.
He said that sometimes a person
goes wrong and will not listen to
anybody. We all get together in the
village and place that person in the
midst of us. The elders talk to him
for a long time. “You have gonewrong!” they say. “All yourthoughts, intentions and values are
wrong. Now you have to become a
baby again and start to relearn
everything right.”
That was the answer Des was
looking for. So today this Papua
New Guinea Bible translation says
no one can see the Kingdom of Godunless he becomes like a baby againand relearns everything from God’s
Word.
God is composing and playing the
most extraordinary masterpiece.
Jesus has made it possible for us to
join the song. We have a lifetime to
practise.
PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010.From the Minister’s StudyGod is composing extraordinary music
CAS supervisor from Ministry
Ontario is taking action to protect
services for vulnerable children at
the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid
Society (HPCAS).
Effective immediately, Minister of
Children and Youth Services
Laurel Broten has appointed a
Supervisor, on an interim basis,
to operate and manage the society
in place of the Board of Directors.
Vince Tedesco will supervise
the operations at the HPCAS, so
that services will continue to
be provided to vulnerable
children, foster parents and Crown
wards.
Tedesco will also be responsible
for conducting a thorough financial
and operational review of the
organization.
The decision to appoint a
Supervisor was made following a
final meeting on Oct. 13 between the
HPCAS, the Minister and ministry
officials. The meeting was in
response to a motion passed by the
Huron-Perth CAS board on Oct. 5 to
close its doors effective Dec. 15 and
issue layoff notices to staff on Oct.
15. No layoff notices will be issued
on Friday, Oct. 15.
“My top priority is ensuring the
families and children served by the
Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society
receive the support they need. We
will not put kids at risk and today’s
actions will ensure vulnerable
children are protected,” said
Broten.
“It is essential that child
protection services be provided in
Huron-Perth. This action will allow
those integral services for kids and
the community to continue. It is the
right thing to do,” said Goderich
Mayor Deb Shewfelt.
Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m.
CORNER OF DINSLEY& MILL STREETS
MINISTER
Rev. Gary Clark,BA, M. Div.
All Welcome
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Floyd Herman,BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224
Oct. 24th - Opening Sunday School Time Capsule from 1960.
Come and see.
Oct. 31st - Guest Speaker Tom Dunbar. Free luncheon and
Dedication of New Time Capsule to be opened in 2060.
YOU ARE WELCOME
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship
Mid-week Bible Study
C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
N
,
I
N
D
I
A
N
A
Timeless Truths
For Today
308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth
Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590
Blyth Community Church of God
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, BlythHwy. 4, Blyth
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com
Sunday, October 24
Ethel United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
B l y t h U n i t e d Church Celebrates50 Years of
Sunday School
October 24, 2010 11:00 am
Special Anniversary Service
followed by lunch
Blyth United Church
Corner of Mill & Dinsley
Handicap accessibility.
Opening time capsule from 1960
For more information call L. Fraser 519-523-9687
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
For additional details please contact:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Chris McMichael 519.482.1644
Brussels Public School
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
6:30 pm - DVD series on the Book of
Revelation by James MacDonald
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age (mornings only)
Childcare provided for infants and toddlers
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
Sunday, October 24
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
Church Office: 519-317-4883
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, October 24
Rev.Perry Chuipka
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-2664
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
119 John’s Ave.,Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
Guest Speaker:
Rev.Eugene Neudorf
- Pizza, prizes
and fellowship
to follow
Cost $3.00 per
person.
Adult Fellowship
Car Rally
Saturday, October 23rd
Meeting at the church
at 2:00 p.m.
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Tuesdays 7:30 pm - Wingham Small Group
1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm - Women’s Ministry
Fridays 7:00 pm - Youth Group
Christ-centred, Bible-believing,
Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared
Oct. 24: Jer. 2:4-13
“A Glory
Abandoned”
Saturday, October 30:
FREE Community Breakfast at Memorial Hall